A Simple Synthesis of α-Ylidene γ-Lactones from γ-Trimethylsiloxy Nitriles

Abstract
α-Cyano carbanions which are generated from γ-trimethylsiloxy nitriles have been found to react with aldehydes to give α-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-γ-trimethylsiloxy nitriles (6). α-Ylidene γ-lactones (5) are derived from 6 in two steps; hydrolytic lactonization to α-(1-hydroxyalkyl) γ-lactones and dehydration. The stereochemistry of the lactones 5 with one exception have been found to be of the E form on the basis of the NMR spectra.